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College football: Who'll win the bowls? Let's dish

By Chris DufresneLos Angeles Times

Posted:
12/13/2012 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:
12/13/2012 08:15:38 AM CST

Gophers running back Donnell Kirkwood advances the ball in the third quarter as Minnesota beat New Hampshire 44-7 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 8, 2012. ( Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

LOS ANGELES--ESPN's "Octomom" family of networks hopes you enjoy this year's cavalcade of commercials and center snaps as it furiously tries to secure the two games it doesn't broadcast.

Ohio State has been banned from this season's bowls by the NCAA and Louisiana Tech was snuffed out like a sidewalk cigarette so that a dozen schools with 6-6 records and one at 6-7 could raise a participation trophy.

The mascot for this year's bowl parade, "Eddie the Interim Coach," honors the numerous teams that play on without their fearless fall leaders.

Our annual worst-to-best bowl warning stands: Wagering on these picks can take you over the fiscal cliff. And always check with your physician before eating any of the junk food promoted by this season's title sponsors. All times Central.

5, noon, ESPN: Pittsburgh lost to Youngstown State but took Notre Dame to triple overtime. Mississippi was routed by Texas, 66-31, but nearly defeated Texas A&M and Louisiana State. Winner: Mississippi.

32

Beef 'O' Brady's, Ball State (9-3) vs. Central Florida (9-4), Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m., ESPN: Big East teams have won three of the first four Beef bowls, but close games have been rare (to medium rare). Winner: Central Florida.

Independence, Louisiana Monroe (8-4) vs. Ohio (8-4), Dec. 28, 1 p.m., ESPN: Louisiana Monroe started 6-2 with a win over Arkansas and losses to Auburn and Baylor by a total of eight points. Ohio started 7-0. If only the season ended in mid-November. Winner: Louisiana Monroe.

28

New Orleans, Louisiana Lafayette (8-4) vs. East Carolina (7-5), Dec. 22, 11 a.m., ESPN: Good luck matching last year's ending when Louisiana Lafayette's Brett Baer beat San Diego State with a 50-yard field goal as time expired. Winner: Louisiana Lafayette

27

Liberty, Tulsa (10-3) vs. Iowa State (6-6), Dec. 31, 2:30 p.m., ESPN: The Liberty reportedly chose Iowa State over Louisiana Tech, so this game deserves to end early because of a power outage. Winner: Tulsa.

26

Hawaii, Southern Methodist (6-6) vs. Fresno State (9-3), Dec. 24, 7 p.m., ESPN: Former Hawaii coach June Jones, now with SMU, returns to the islands to relive memories and retrieve a Hawaiian shirt he left in his old gym locker. Winner: Fresno State.

Poinsettia, Brigham Young (7-5) vs. San Diego State (9-3), Dec. 20, 7 p.m., ESPN: Brigham Young lost four games by 13 total points and ranks third nationally in total defense. Shamu State owns a signature win at Boise State. Winner: BYU.

Pinstripe, West Virginia (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5), Dec. 29, 2:15 p.m., ESPN: This third-year bowl game at Yankee Stadium will commence with the singing of the national anthem and the booing of Alex Rodriguez. Winner: West Virginia.

17

Famous Idaho Potato, Toledo (9-3) vs. Utah State (10-2), Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN: The MAC vs. the WAC... with a side of curly fries. Toledo lost in overtime at Arizona and to BCS-bowl-bound Northern Illinois. Utah State lost two games by five points. Winner: Utah State.

Music City, Vanderbilt (8-4) vs. North Carolina State (7-5), Dec. 31, 11 a.m.., ESPN: Ain't that a boot in the head? One of the few bowls in which a kicker and a punter have been the game's most valuable player. Winner: Vanderbilt.

14

Las Vegas, Washington (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-2), Dec. 22, 2:30 p.m., ESPN: Fans must purchase separate ticket for second game of doubleheader that starts when Boise opens the 2013 season at Washington. Winner: Boise State.

Outback, Michigan (8-4) vs. South Carolina (10-2), Jan. 1, noon, ESPN: One of these schools played Alabama during the season and the other one plays in the Southeastern Conference. Winner: South Carolina.

8

Capital One, Nebraska (10-3) vs. Georgia (11-2), Jan. 1, noon, ABC: Georgia came within five yards against Alabama of playing for the national title. Nebraska came within 70 points of shutting out Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. Winner: Georgia.

Holiday, UCLA (9-4) vs. Baylor (7-5), Dec. 27, 8:45 p.m., ESPN: Coach Jim Mora to implement a full game plan after he's assured by Pac-12 office that UCLA won't have to play Baylor in a rematch six days later. Winner: UCLA.